Tropical Fried Rice

While it’s currently freezing out, and there isn’t a warm weather getaway in sight, I decided to spice up the traditional fried rice into a tropical fried rice. I also figured my fiance would love it, as his favorite grab and make meal is Trader Joes fried rice. I couldn’t go wrong with this meal right? Right I was. We both thoroughly enjoyed the Tropical Fried Rice. There was enough of the meal for multiple meals of leftovers, which are always nice during the week for lunch.

Tips:

• You can substitute fresh or frozen peas for the sugar snap peas if snap peas aren’t your favorite.
• If you aren’t a big rice fan you can use quinoa instead.
• Brown wild rice is one of our favorites, but use the rice of your choosing.
• If you don’t like leftovers, definitely half the ingredients, as it makes quite a bit.
• If you don’t like ham, you can substitute chicken for ham. If you use chicken, the recipe will take a bit longer. Cube the chicken and place in a fry pan with sesame oil. Takes approximately 20-25 minutes.

Tropical Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 2 Pieces of ham steak (cubed)
• 1 ½ Cups wild brown rice
• 4 Carrots (sliced)
• 4 Stalks celery (sliced)
• 1 Fresh pineapple (cubed)
• 2 Cups snap peas
• ½ Red onion (diced)
• ½ Cup cilantro minced (set a few leaves aside)
• 1 Tsp chicken bouillon
• 1-2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 4 eggs

Preparation

1. Cook rice according to package, however add in chicken bouillon when cooking to give the rice a bit more flavor.
2. When rice is done, set aside. Saute the carrots, celery, pineapple, snap peas and red onion in the soy sauce and sesame oil. Saute for approximately 10 minutes. (vegetables should still be crisp). Turn burner off and set aside.
3. Take cubed ham steak and place in a fry pan. Fry on medium heat until ham is slightly browned on all sides. Set aside.
4. Take the rice and place in a large fry pan or wok on high heat. Add in the egg and keeping mixing as the egg keeps cooking. Once egg is finished cooking add in sauteed vegetable mixture and ham.
5. Heat entire mixture for a few minutes to let the flavors combine. Add in ¼ cup minced cilantro. Stir.
6. Place in a bowl and garnish with cilantro.
7. Enjoy.

Click on recipe title for a Tropical Fried Rice